When the Right reject the Australian value of A FAIR GO FOR ALL, and everyone who doesn't is classified as on the Left, the much bigger problem is that the proportion on the Left is less than 100%.

Of course a more sensible way of classifying them may result in a higher proportion on the right, and there's no problem with that.

Another element in our deteriorating modern educational system is a lack of discipline, both personal and in the classroom. In contrast, some dedicated students who wish to learn have their lessons disrupted by those who don't.

Many teachers are too afraid to impose limits on behaviour, talking in class, loutish and loud conduct, and physical intimidation of some teachers. And many of the Headmasters will not back their teachers for the same reason - because of physical fear of some students and departmental policy entering the mix. Who'd wish to be a school teacher today?

The National Curriculum is reviewed every six years.
It was last reviewed in 2014.

The review is only a draft. It has involved
consultation with 360 practising teachers and
curriculum specialists. The proposals are not final
and were open to public consultation and feed back
until 8 July.

The feedback will be used to develop final revisions,
which will have to be signed off by the federal, state,
and territory education ministers. Which is re-assuring.
Or should be.

Apparently there are hundreds of proposed changes but
the principle ones causing the stir seem to be the
primary
school humanities and history that involve the word -
"invasion." I don't quite understand why such a fuss
is being made - and people are playing politics with
all this. History that's already being taught refers
to "dispossession," "dislocation," and the loss of
lives through conflict. The new proposals are not
that much different from what's currently being
taught in schools.

Perhaps the aim of the new curriculum wants our
education system to move away from its colonial
view. I/m not sure. Can't all these educational
experts come up with a fair and balanced curriculum?
Where neither side is denegrated and where both sides
end up being proud of our nation?

Perhaps it's easier said than done?

o sung wu,
There are many so weak and gutless individuals in the education system that I doubt that any changes to the curriculum will make any difference.

Weak classroom teachers use teaching strategies that should have been tossed aside decades ago.

Why? Learning new methods is far to difficult for them. So we have classroom teachers who refuse to learn or implement the techniques that are in the best interest of their students.

Weak Heads of Departments knowingly bypass the teaching and organisational practices they are told to employ.

Why? They are too arrogant and/or lazy to change their fixed attitudes.

Weak Principals direct their teachers to spent most of the first term practicing for NAPLAN at the expense of the curriculum.

Why? Principals do not realise that NAPLAN is a simple diagnostic tool and they willing sacrifice the students' learning so that the Principals do not look incompetent.

If you ever hear a teacher or Principal say that such-and-such a method "will not work with our kids" then you know that they fit into one of the categories above.

The rot starts in universities - as it always does.

Student teachers are taught that education and schools perpetuate socioeconomic inequalities.

Social work students are taught that most of the social problems they will experience as professionals can be attributed to capitalism or the oppressive nature of Western cultural institutions.

Political science students are taught about the ‘nefarious’ behaviour of Western countries, especially the United States.

History students are taught themes such as colonisation, resistance and socialism, ignoring chronology of events.

English students focus on deconstruction and the political and socioeconomic context of a work of literature, not on its content or ideas.

Minister Tudge was on TV last night and lamblasted the draft and sent
it back. He spoke about reintroducing phonics for teaching reading as
its replacement had failed, apparently everywhere.
He did not mention English as a subject.
I think maybe there is at last someone game to push back hard.